Vernon Wortman
March 20, 1932 — March 9, 2006
Vernon A. Wortman of McCook died Thursday (March 9, 2006) at McCook Community Hospital. He was 73 years old.
He was born March 20, 1932 at Tekamah to Albert John and Margaret Lorraine (Young) Wortman. He grew up on a farm near Walthill and graduated from Walthill High School in 1949. He attended and played football at Wayne State College and graduated from the University of Nebraska.
He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 -1957. He flew jet fighters. He served in the USAF Reserves until 1967.
He married Betty E. Dye at Rosalie on June 12, 1954. To this union two sons, Mike and Curt and daughter, Denise were born. Vernon has lived in McCook since 1971. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Soil Conservation Service from 1959 until his retirement in 1987.
He was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Vernon was also a member of the American Legion Post 203, VFW Post 1952, NARFE, the Masonic Lodge # 135 and Shrine, the Elks and the Valley Hope Advisory Board in Norton, KS. He was an avid golfer, involved in numerous organizations. He had a love for flying and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Survivors include: his wife Betty of McCook; two sons, Mike and wife Deb of Wichita, KS. And Curt of Ogalalla; a daughter Denise and husband Joe Yauney of Mitchell; six grandchildren, Michael, Jon, Rachel, Shelley, Stacy and Trent; two step grandchildren, Jondell and Jeremy; 14 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Gerald and wife Joanne of Tekamah, Lawrence of Walthill, Delmar and wife Glenna of Rosalie, and Don and wife Eleanor of Hunnington Beach, CA; numerous other relatives and friends.
Memorials are being accepted in his name.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McCook with Pastor John Strecker-Baseler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation at the funeral home will be Friday from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. The family will be present to meet friends from 6-8 p.m. Friends and family may also leave condolences on-line at www.carpenterbreland.com
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.